Preston
University and Shehr-e-Iqbal Alumni Association organized a seminar on
Allama Iqbal’s poetry at the Islamabad Campus of the university on April
21, 2010. The event was organized to commemorate the 72nd Death Anniversary of the poet of the East, Dr. Allama Muhammad Iqbal.

The Vice Chancellor, Quaid-e-Azam University, Dr. Masoom
Yasinzai graced the seminar as Chief Guest. Addressing a distinguished
gathering of educationists and intellectuals, Dr. Masoom Yasinzai paid
glowing tribute to Dr. Allama Muhammad Iqbal. He said that Allama Iqbal
was not a poet of the East only, in fact he was a universal poet. His
poetry, he said, is not confined to one particular segment of the world
community but the entire humanity. Dr. Yasinzai said that we, in this
part of the world, have failed to understand the true meaning of Iqbal’s
poetry; whereas the other nations of the world have not only understood
the meaning of his poetry in its true spirit but have also
significantly benefited from it.

Dr. Yasinzai further said that Iqbal has always been greatly
admired by the people of Iran and Turkey. They have made a conscious
effort to learn from the philosophy and teachings of Iqbal and, in the
process, have greatly gained in all spheres of life. The Chief Guest,
Vice chancellor, Dr. Masoom Yasinzai said it is very unfortunate that we
have misunderstood and distorted the philosophy of Iqbal, and have
never tried to understand the essence of his messages. Had we done so,
we too could have tremendously benefited from his teachings. Dr.
Yasinzai said that it is the need of the hour to give proper exposure to
the present and upcoming generations of Pakistan to Iqbal’s poetry and
philosophy. This is essential in order to prepare them to learn and
follow the teachings of Allama Iqbal in letter and spirit, for their own
benefit and for the benefit of this country and this nation. He said
the teachers at the educational institutions in the country could play a
very important role in this regard.

Earlier, in his welcome address on the occasion Dr. Shoaib
Suddle, former Inspector General of Police and President Shehr-e-Iqbal
Alumni Association extended a warm welcome to the Chief Guest, Prof. Dr.
Masoom Yasinzai, Vice Chancellor Quaid-e-Azam University, Islamabad. He
expressed the gratitude of the organizers of the seminar to him for
sparing his valuable time and gracing the seminar by his distinguished
presence as Chief Guest.

The Chancellor Preston University and Vice President,
Shehr-e-Iqbal Alumni Association and Dr. Abdul Basit and Major (R)
Muhammad Iqbal Dar also addressed the participants of the seminar. Dr.
Basit thanked the Chief Guest, on behalf of Preston University, for
presiding over the seminar.